President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on India for refusing to cease importing Russian oil, the president announced Wednesday.
Trump will raise the tariffs on India from 25% to 50% in 21 days if it does not stop importing Russian petroleum products, according to a proclamation issued by the White House. India remains one of Russia’s prime customers for oil, importing around 1.75 million barrels per day between January and June of this year, according to Reuters.
Trump has been attempting to put an economic squeeze on Russia amid stalling negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin over his war in Ukraine. The U.S. has threatened to put secondary tariffs on buyers of key Russian goods, if Putin did not come to the negotiating table before Friday.
“I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” Trump’s proclamation reads. “Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent.”
Trump imposed a 25% tariff on India on July 30, saying India could not continue purchasing Russian oil and weapons while the war in Ukraine remains unresolved.
“Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country,” Trump said on Truth Social July 30 announcing the first round of tariffs. “Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!”
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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